Jean moved to Brooklyn, New York when he was nine, then to Northern New Jersey, where he began playing the guitar and studying jazz in his high school. In 1987, Jean, his friend (so close they told people they were cousins growing up) Prakazrel Michel (Pras) and his classmate, Lauryn Hill, formed a group called the Tranzlator Crew before becoming The Fugees. Wyclef worked as a cabdriver.
Recently he has been finding success as a collaborator - with his turn on Shakira's 2006 track 'Hips Don't Lie' hitting number one in many countries around the world.
In August of 2010, Jean announced his intent to seek the presidency of Haiti. This move came after his increasingly-high profile humanitarian work in the wake of the earthquake that devastated that nation.
Red Light District
Wyclef Jean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yea, oh!
Check me out, look
It goes love, hate, pleasure and pain
Four albums in the can and I'm still in the game (what up?)
And last album, they don't like me to tell this
Debuted at number one and sold more records than Elvis (shut up!)
That's what they telling me, switch up your melody
So they can lock us up one at a time
But true writers stay free in every one of our lines
And if you not feeling I'm the cream of the crop
I'll knock rappers off your list 'til I get to the top!
Still you looking at a man that's financially stable
Only nigga getting checks cut from four different labels
That Pillsbury dough, women poke my guts
Still I walk around the streets like I'm broke as fuck
So if you see me in your town and I appear to be moody
It's cause I'm thinking 'bout plans that's bigger than Serena booty
Me and shaka still starving and looking for meals
And heads up! Ludacris is almost out of his deal
I'm over ten million sold, every album is crack
And for now I'm bout to carry def jam on my back
Mad rappers I hear you talking way down at the bottom
Though I make big money, still handle small problems
The rambling at the mouth, I don't play that shit
I'm the best and I ain't really got say that shit!
In the opening lines of Wyclef Jean's song Red Light District, the artist acknowledges that he has been in the music industry for a while and has experienced love, hate, pleasure, and pain. He then states that he has four albums in the can and is still in the game. He even boasts about his previous album which debuted at number one and sold more records than Elvis. Wyclef cleverly responds to critics who ask him to switch up his melodics to remain relevant, and shift from misdemeanors, to stay out of prison. He argues that true writers stay free in every single line they write. Wyclef then alludes to the attempts of the law to incarcerate rappers and voices his stand against it.
He continues to boast about his financial stability, despite still on the streets like a hustler. He's earned so much success that he's the only person getting checks from four different labels. Wyclef refers to himself as the Pillsbury dough and women poke his guts, yet he walks like his pockets are empty. He also mentions that he's moody because he's planning big projects that are bigger than Serena Williams' booty. Wyclef and Shaka are still starving and looking for meals, while Ludacris is nearly out of his deal. In conclusion, the artist proclaims himself the best, with over ten million sales, and promises to carry Def Jam on his back.
Line by Line Meaning
Yea, oh!
Introductory phrase expressing enthusiasm and excitement.
Check me out, look
Asking the audience to pay attention to his lyrics.
It goes love, hate, pleasure and pain
Life comprises a mix of both positive and negative experiences.
Four albums in the can and I'm still in the game (what up?)
Despite having released four albums, the artist is still active in the music industry.
And last album, they don't like me to tell this
Referring to a controversial event surrounding his previous album release.
Debuted at number one and sold more records than Elvis (shut up!)
The album was commercially successful, selling more records than Elvis Presley's albums.
That's what they telling me, switch up your melody
Critics are suggesting that the artist change his style of music.
Through with misdemeanors, they trying to give rappers felonies
Authorities are enforcing strict laws on rappers, treating minor offenses as major crimes.
So they can lock us up one at a time
Authorities are targeting rappers one by one and imprisoning them.
But true writers stay free in every one of our lines
Real artists express themselves freely through their music without being constrained by laws or authorities.
And if you not feeling I'm the cream of the crop
If you do not think the artist is the best in the industry.
I'll knock rappers off your list 'til I get to the top!
The artist is confident enough in his abilities to surpass his competition.
Still you looking at a man that's financially stable
The artist is financially secure despite no longer being in the spotlight.
Only nigga getting checks cut from four different labels
The artist receives payments from four different record labels.
That Pillsbury dough, women poke my guts
The artist is wealthy and attractive to women.
Still I walk around the streets like I'm broke as fuck
Despite being wealthy, the artist does not flaunt his money and prefers to live a modest lifestyle.
So if you see me in your town and I appear to be moody
The artist's mood might appear to be negative, but it is due to his deep thoughts and plans.
It's cause I'm thinking 'bout plans that's bigger than Serena booty
The artist's thoughts are focused on something more significant than physical pleasure.
Me and shaka still starving and looking for meals
The artist and his colleague are still searching for new ideas and inspiration for their music.
And heads up! Ludacris is almost out of his deal
Ludacris, another artist, is close to finishing their recording contract with a record label.
I'm over ten million sold, every album is crack
The artist has sold over ten million records and is known for producing exceptional albums.
And for now I'm bout to carry def jam on my back
The artist views his responsibility towards his record label with utmost importance.
Mad rappers I hear you talking way down at the bottom
Other rappers are criticizing and underestimating the artist's abilities.
Though I make big money, still handle small problems
The artist does not let his wealth change his lifestyle and still manages small issues himself.
The rambling at the mouth, I don't play that shit
The artist does not tolerate other rappers talking nonsense.
I'm the best and I ain't really got say that shit!
The artist is confident in his abilities without needing to boast about it.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DUPLESSIS, JEAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind